Lindsey Vonn St Anton: GEPA pictures
Challenging Conditions Greet Competitors in St. Anton
Saturday brought clear skies to the Karl Schranz downhill course in St. Anton, Austria, but recent snowfall created a complex challenge for the athletes. Eighteen inches of new snow earlier in the week left the surface variable and often soft. Warm temperatures compounded the difficulty, forcing organizers to lower the start to accommodate the snow conditions.
The women entered the race with only one training run, held under challenging circumstances, leaving many unsure of the course’s demands. Early starters struggled to maintain their line as they navigated unpredictable surfaces from turn to turn. Transition areas, in particular, proved troublesome, with the inconsistent snow making it difficult to build and carry speed.
Early Challenges and Adjustments on Course
Once the course reality was known and radioed up to the start, the women adjusted their approach. However, navigating the soft and variable conditions was far from straightforward. The unpredictable snow made clean runs elusive and demanded constant tactical adjustments.
Unfortunately for the fans of the sport, one of the early victims of these challenges was Italy’s queen of speed, Sofia Goggia. Among the pre-race favorites, Goggia looked poised for a strong finish, clocking impressive splits through the first two timing sectors. However, a tricky transition caught her off guard, sending her onto her hip and out of the race. Thankfully, Goggia avoided injury, quickly got back on her feet, and skied down to the finish area unassisted.
Italians Shine Early Despite the Challenges
Italy’s Laura Pirovano met the challenge head-on, delivering a strong performance with bib eight. Her clean, composed run set the early standard, and she claimed the lead after the first wave of competitors. Despite the difficult conditions, Pirovano’s precision and determination stood out, holding her in the top spot after the first 13 racers.
However, it was another Italian superstar, Federica Brignone, wearing bib 14, who raised the bar. Known as one of the world’s top GS skiers, Brignone demonstrated immense skill, executing a complete and controlled run on line. Her technical mastery allowed her to navigate the variable snow with confidence, earning her a commanding 0.43-second lead over her teammate Pirovano.
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Ledecká Shakes Up the Podium
The leaderboard remained steady until Ester Ledecká of the Czech Republic, wearing bib 27, charged down the course. The 29-year-old, known for her signature aggression and dual-discipline dominance, attacked from the start, skiing with authority and precision through the variable conditions.
Ledecká threatened the lead from the top, staying in contention at every split. Though she narrowly missed overtaking Federica Brignone, her powerful performance initially secured second place, just 0.18 seconds behind the Italian leader. Ledecká’s run pushed Laura Pirovano to third and bumped Stephanie Venier off the podium entirely, leaving the home country without a top-three finisher.. However, Swiss rookie Malorie Blanc’s stunning run later pushed Ledecká to third.
Blanc Delivers Stunning Result to Shake Up the Podium
Just when it seemed the race was winding down, Swiss youngster Malorie Blanc, a World Cup downhill rookie skiing with bib 46, delivered a shocking performance. Attacking the course with composure and fearlessness, the 22-year-old defied expectations, skiing into second place only 0.07 seconds behind Brignone. Blanc’s incredible run created an eruption of cheers from the crowd and left the finish area buzzing with excitement. It is rare for a racer starting so late to disrupt the podium, making Blanc’s result a defining moment of the day. Her performance pushed Ledecká to third and Pirovano off the podium, turning the leaderboard on its head.
Brignone Claims Victory, Blanc and Ledecká Round Out the Podium
Brignone Makes History with First Place
Brignone stood atop the podium, celebrating a well-earned victory with her technically flawless and composed run. At 34 years old, this victory marked Brignone’s first-ever downhill win and made her the oldest woman to win a World Cup downhill, showcasing her versatility and adaptability across disciplines.
“It wasn’t an easy race—it felt more like surfing than skiing, with tricky conditions that required both aggression and smoothness. I fought hard to stay controlled and let the skis run, and I’m really proud of how it turned out,” said Brignone. “Winning my first downhill at 34 and becoming the oldest woman to do so is very special, and I hope it inspires others to keep pushing boundaries. I managed to not put too much stress on myself and I could ski as I wanted. I am really happy.”
Blanc Surprises with Second Place
Blanc’s stunning second-place finish was the story of the day, as the World Cup rookie demonstrated skill and confidence far beyond her years. Blanc, who won the Super-G title at last year’s FIS Junior World Ski Championships, delivered a mature and fearless performance, skiing into second place just 0.07 seconds behind Brignone. Her unexpected podium added a dramatic twist to an already thrilling race.
“I thought I was too down on the lines and it wasn’t as good as I had planned in my mind,” Blanc laughed, swamped by jubilant teammates in the finish area. “At the end, I was just so surprised to be second. I am just enjoying it.”
Ledecká Secures Third Place
Ledecká, skiing with her signature aggression, delivered a thrilling performance that brought her within 0.18 seconds of Brignone. Her authoritative run secured third place, marking another impressive achievement in her multi-sport career.
“My snowboarding really paid off today because mostly I was outside everyone else’s line,” Ledecká laughed. “So I was maybe a little bit round on some turns, but in the end, it really paid off. It’s good to have some snowboarding skills sometimes.”
Lindsey Vonn Shines in Comeback, U.S. Women Impress
With 30 racers in the finish, attention often shifts away from the competition. But not today. All eyes were on Lindsey Vonn, making her highly anticipated World Cup return to downhill racing. The 40-year-old Stifel U.S. Ski Team superstar, who last competed in an elite downhill at the 2019 World Championships where she earned bronze, thrilled the crowd with a brilliant performance.
Skiing with bib 32, Vonn showcased her trademark determination and skill, navigating the variable course conditions with poise. Her run earned her an impressive sixth-place finish, just 0.58 seconds off Federica Brignone’s winning time. Smiles and applause erupted in the finish area as she celebrated a remarkable comeback.
“It was fun to be back in the start gate. I feel more confident in downhill than Super-G, and I know this hill well. The conditions were challenging, especially starting outside the top 30, but for my first downhill race in six years, I think it was a pretty good start. I know I can be faster, and I’m excited to keep building from here,” said Vonn after her sixth-place finish.
Macuga’s Breakthrough and Johnson’s Strong Return
Lauren Macuga also delivered an impressive result, finishing in eighth place after a gutsy effort earlier in the race. “I was just trying to do some good skiing, hit the points I needed to, and it played out well,” said Macuga. “It’s so exciting to see three of us in the top 11—women’s speed is really coming back strong.” Skiing with boldness and maturity beyond her years, Macuga attacked the challenging course with courage and determination. Her performance was another breakthrough moment, proving she can compete among the world’s best on one of the most challenging stages.
Right after Vonn, her teammate Breezy Johnson, skiing with bib 33, delivered another strong performance. Returning after sitting out last season, Johnson attacked the course with aggression, finishing 11th with confident skiing that showed her resilience after a long road back. “The conditions were tricky, and I feel like I have better skiing in me,” said Johnson. “It’s exciting to see our team feeding off each other’s energy, and I’m hopeful for stronger results moving forward.” While not challenging for the podium, she skied with determination and secured the 11th-fastest time of the day.
Together, Vonn (6th), Macuga (9th), and Johnson (11th) placed three U.S. women in the top 11, marking a standout day for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.
Top 30 Race Results
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Run Analysis of the Fastest three and Top 30 North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
